(a) The Legislature finds that the problem of domestic violence is of serious and increasing magnitude. The Legislature also finds that existing domestic violence services are underfunded and that some areas of the state are unserved or underserved. Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature that a goal or purpose of the Office of Emergency Services shall be to ensure that all victims of domestic violence served by the Office of Emergency Services Comprehensive Statewide Domestic Violence Program receive comprehensive, quality services. (b) (1) There is in the Office of Emergency Services a Comprehensive Statewide Domestic Violence Program. The goals of the program shall be to provide local assistance to existing service providers, to maintain and expand services based on a demonstrated need, and to establish a targeted or directed program for the development and establishment of domestic violence services in currently unserved and underserved areas. The Office of Emergency Services shall provide financial and technical assistance to local domestic violence centers in implementing all of the following services: (A) Twenty-four-hour crisis communication systems that shall include 24-hour telephone services and may also include other communication methods offered on a 24-hour or intermittent basis, such as text messaging, computer chat, or any other technology approved by the Office of Emergency Services. (B) Counseling. (C) Business centers. (D) Emergency âsafeâ homes or shelters for victims and families. (E) Emergency food and clothing. (F) Emergency response to calls from law enforcement. (G) Hospital emergency room protocol and assistance. (H) Emergency transportation. (I) Supportive peer counseling. (J) Counseling for children. (K) Court and social service advocacy. (L) Legal assistance with temporary restraining orders, devices, and custody disputes. (M) Community resource and referral. (N) Household establishment assistance. (2) Priority for financial and technical assistance shall be given to emergency shelter programs and âsafeâ homes for victims of domestic violence and their children. (3) The portion of any grant funding awarded pursuant to this section that is funded by the state shall be distributed to the recipient in a single disbursement at the beginning of the grant period. (c) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (f), the Office of Emergency Services and the advisory committee established pursuant to Section 13823.16 shall collaboratively administer the Comprehensive Statewide Domestic Violence Program, and shall allocate funds to local centers meeting the criteria for funding. All organizations funded pursuant to this section shall utilize volunteers to the greatest extent possible. (2) The centers may seek, receive, and make use of any funds that may be available from all public and private sources to augment state funds received pursuant to this section. (d) The Office of Emergency Services shall conduct statewide training workshops on domestic violence for local centers, law enforcement, and other service providers designed to enhance service programs. The workshops shall be planned in conjunction with practitioners and experts in the field of domestic violence prevention. The workshops shall include a curriculum component on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender specific domestic abuse. (e) The Office of Emergency Services shall develop and disseminate throughout the state information and materials concerning domestic violence. The Office of Emergency Services shall also establish a resource center for the collection, retention, and distribution of educational materials related to domestic violence. The Office of Emergency Services may utilize and contract with existing domestic violence technical assistance centers in this state in complying with the requirements of this subdivision. (f) The funding process for distributing grant awards to domestic violence shelter service providers (DVSSPs
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